Coastal Strip

The west shore of the reserve, along Admiralty Inlet, is an eight-mile strip of narrow sand and stone beaches that give way to dramatic bluffs and ravines. Elevations range from sea level to just over 200 feet. Many of the bluffs are sparsely vegetated, relatively unstable, and in a constant state of erosion and accretion. Access to the fragile bluffs is limited to a State Park trail along the crest and the beach itself.

Prairies

Three large natural prairies cover over 5,000 acres or 42 percent of the reserve. All three are defined by major ridges which funnel the land into gentle sweeps of rich farmland. The prairie soils are a particularly valuable resource and approximately one-third of the prairie lands are in market crops such as squash, corn and various seed crops. The remainder is a mix of wetlands, pasturelands, woodlands and farm complexes that together constitute not only a cohesive scenic area but an area rich in the resources (fencelines, hedgerows, field patterns, buildings, etc.) that explain man's presence and relationship to the land over a long period of time.

Woodlands

Two large and densely wooded areas on the reserve cover just over 4,500 acres. The forests are primarily second and third growth Douglas fir-Western red cedar with alder, salal, and rhododendron understory. The interior portions of these woodlands are quite remote and isolated. Large glacial kettles created depressions in excess of 200 feet in some places, punctuating an area rich in geologic history. With the exception of Fort Ebey State Park and Rhododendron Park, the woodlands on the reserve remain relatively unaccessible and undeveloped, providing a valuable natural resource in the composite cultural landscape system.

Uplands

The upland areas of the reserve are undulating and gently rolling hills that sweep up from the shorelines on either side of the island. Primarily pasturelands and croplands carved out of woodland stands, these areas are sparsely settled with scattered farms and residences. The patchwork fabric of the land and limited development adds to the scenic quality and pastoral character of these areas.

Penn Cove

A more sheltered but equally rich beach character, Penn Cove covers over 4,000 surface acres. The shoreline varies between low beach front at Monroe's Landing, to uplifted banks near Coupeville. Along the west edge of the cove, the low lands fill out into lagoons providing habitats for various waterfowl and migratory birds. Small cottages enhance the quiet nature of the cove at Good Beach and Snakelum Point where permanent and seasonal residents enjoy the scenic and recreational resources of the inland waters.

Coupeville

The town of Coupeville is the commercial center of the reserve occupying 740 acres of land stretching from Penn Cove across Highway 20 into Ebey's Prairie. Front Street along the waterfront was the original center of the town and contains the oldest commercial buildings in Coupeville. The neighborhoods surrounding the commercial core also contain a significant number of older residences (including the oldest house on the reserve), many of which retain qualities from original site designs including large, undivided lots, remnant orchards, gates, walls and walks, and grounds that denote early patterns and development trends.